Mixed-lineage kinase-3 (MLK3) plays a negative modulatory role in insulin secretion from the pancreatic β-cell

Authors

Tyler Russeth, Wayne State University School of MedicineFollow
Vijayalakshmi Thamilselvan, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health SciencesFollow
Anjaneyulu Kowluru, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, John D. Dingell VA Medical CenterFollow

Research Mentor Name

Anjaneyulu Kowluru

Research Mentor Email Address

akowluru@med.wayne.edu

Institution / Department

John D. Dingell VA Medical Center

Document Type

Research Abstract

Research Type

basicbio

Level of Research

yes

Type of Post-Bachelor Degree

Doctor of Medicine

Abstract

Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) from the pancreatic β-cell in response to elevated levels of glucose is controlled by a variety of signals including intracellular calcium and nucleotides such as cAMP, ATP and GTP. These cellular signals are responsible for activation of specific kinases that mediate phosphorylation of key exocytotic proteins that lead to GSIS. In the context of protein kinases, mixed-lineage kinases (MLKs) have been implicated in an assortment of cellular functions, including cell proliferation and apoptosis. However, very little is known on potential regulatory roles of MLKs in islet β-cell function, including GSIS. The goal of this study is to determine the roles of MLK3 in GSIS. Initial data indicated that MLK3 is expressed in clonal β-cells (INS-1 832/13) and human islets. INS-1 832/13 cell exposure to stimulatory glucose (20mM) resulted in a time-dependent increase in phosphorylation of MLK3 at T277 and S281 with peak phosphorylation within 20 minutes. URMC-099, a known inhibitor of MLK3, markedly suppressed glucose-induced MLK3 phosphorylation under stimulatory glucose conditions. Moreover, URMC-099 significantly increased insulin secretion under basal (2.5mM) and stimulatory glucose exposure conditions, suggesting a suppressive role for MLK3 in insulin secretion. Together, these studies provide evidence that MLK3 is in fact expressed in clonal and primary β-cells and inhibition of glucose-induced phosphorylation of MLK3 results in potentiation of GSIS. Studies are underway to further confirm our pharmacological findings using molecular biological (siRNA-MLK3) approaches.

Disciplines

Cellular and Molecular Physiology | Endocrinology | Medicine and Health Sciences | Molecular Biology

Recommended Citation

Russeth, Tyler; Thamilselvan, Vijayalakshmi; and Kowluru, Anjaneyulu, "Mixed-lineage kinase-3 (MLK3) plays a negative modulatory role in insulin secretion from the pancreatic β-cell" (2020). Medical Student Research Symposium. 50.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/som_srs/50